The shopping options in the Tri-city have changed beyond recognition since the late 1990s when Gdansk In Your Pocket first rode into town. At that time international brands had only just appeared and while there was one western-style shopping mall in Gdynia (the much expanded, modernised and remodelled Klif is still there), Poles would more often visit to view than to buy – a reflection of the general lack of disposable income available at the time and the novelty value of huge shopping malls or superstores like IKEA and Carrefour.

That was then though. The early years of the 21st century have seen huge development in the retail sector with state-of-the-art shopping malls appearing all along the coast and most noticeably at pretty much every major exit on the Tri-city Ring Road ('Obwodnica;' S6/E28). Now it is easier to count the international brand names which are not present than those that are, and the Tri-city has become a veritable shopping destination, particularly for Germans and Scandinavians who enjoy the convenient, ultra-modern malls and competitive prices. No matter what part of the Tri-city you're stationed in, if your ambition is to shop until you drop while here, you won't have to travel far to find a modern shopping Mecca, the best of which we list below.

Remember that non-EU residents can claim a tax refund on purchases over 200zł (about €50) taken outside the EU in an unused condition in personal luggage.